Clinical Samples
We care for life.
Ship your Clinical Samples with our specialized packaging and priority services
Use our special packaging to ship your clinical samples to more than 220 countries and territories with our priority parcel services.
| Transit times | Service |
|---|---|
| Next business day to select locations | FedEx International First® |
| 1 to 3 business days to most locations | FedEx International Priority® Express |
| 1 to 3 business days to most locations | FedEx International Priority® |
FedEx International First®
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Delivery commitment as early as 8 a.m. to the U.S. Check transit times for exact delivery times and cities served in each country/territory
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Americas: Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, USA. Europe/Middle East/Africa: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland. Asia/Pacific: Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, India.
FedEx International Priority® Express
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Delivery commitment as early as 10.30 a.m. to select postal codes in the U.S. and Canada, and noon for other available destinations. Check Transit Times for exact delivery times and cities served in each destination country.
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Americas: Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia. Europe/Middle East/Africa: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, , France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Greece, Norway, Romania. Asia/Pacific: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan, Thailand.
FedEx International Priority®
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Delivery to more than 220 countries and territories by end of business day.* Reach major cities in the U.S. and Canada typically in 1 to 2 business days. Ship to major cities in Latin America and Caribbean countries, typically in 1 to 3 business days, Europe and Asia in 2 to 5 business days.
Special Packaging
For your convenience, we offer the FedEx® Small Clinical Pak, FedEx® Large Clinical Pak, FedEx® Medium Clinical Box, and the FedEx® Large Clinical Box as packaging options for exempt clinical-sample shipments.
We recommend the FedEx Clinical Paks for use when the outer packaging of your properly packaged shipment is smaller than the minimum acceptable package size 7 in x 4 in x 2 in (17.78 cm x 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm).*
Guidelines
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The FedEx Large Clinical and the FedEx Small Clinical Paks are overwraps primarily designed for easy identification and to handle smaller completed packages.
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The FedEx Large Clinical and the FedEx Small Clinical Paks can only be used to ship clinical samples. If you need an overpack for shipments of Biological Substance, Category B (UN 3373) materials, use the FedEx UN 3373 Pak.
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Liquid blood and liquid blood products must always be placed in sturdy outer packaging before being placed in a FedEx Large Clinical or a FedEx Small Clinical Pak.
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The FedEx Large Clinical and the FedEx Small Clinical Paks can be used to ship dried samples when packaged according to the dried sample guidelines.
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The FedEx Medium Clinical Box, the FedEx Large Clinical Box can be used to ship clinical samples. Other FedEx packaging is not acceptable as outer containers for clinical samples.
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Shipments marked or labeled as hazard class 6.2 (infectious materials) and shipments containing dry ice cannot be shipped in FedEx packaging.
NOTICE: This packaging information is provided to FedEx customers to help reduce loss or damage due to improper packaging. It is NOT intended to be a comprehensive guide for packaging items we accept for transit. We make no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding this information. Proper packaging is the sole responsibility of the shipper. For more information and comprehensive guidelines, refer to the current FedEx Service Guide for terms, conditions, and limitations applicable to FedEx® delivery services.
How to properly pack Clinical Samples
Liquid samples
For liquid clinical samples, you must include four layers of packaging.
Secure liquid sample in a watertight inner receptacle
Use watertight containers for liquid specimens with a positive closure such as a screw-on, snap-on or push-on lid, taped for an additional seal. If you place multiple fragile primary receptacles in a single secondary receptacle, they must be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.
Apply absorbent material
Place absorbent material between the primary and secondary receptacles, using enough material to absorb the entire contents of all primary receptacles. Acceptable absorbent materials include cellulose wadding, cotton balls, super-absorbent packets and paper towels.
Secure liquid sample in a secondary inner receptacle
We recommend using a secondary watertight inner receptacle. Use a watertight sealed plastic bag, plastic canister or screw-cap can.
Pack liquid sample in outer packaging
Ensure outer packaging is sturdy. Use rigid outer packaging constructed of corrugated fiberboard, wood, metal, plastic, or other equally strong material appropriately sized for the contents. Chipboard, paperboard boxes, paper envelopes, and plastic bags are unacceptable outer packaging. The completed packaging must be of good quality, strong enough to withstand the normal rigors of transportation without loss of contents as a result of vibration, changes in temperature, humidity or pressure.
Include a marking on the package that properly identifies the shipment as “Exempt Human Specimen” or “Exempt Animal Specimen” as appropriate to comply with current IATA and ICAO regulations. If you prefer, package markings may be in the form of a label.
Dried samples
Steps for how to ship dry clinical samples.
Place dried samples, including but not limited to hair, swabs, or dried blood, into a sealed paper or plastic envelope.
Note: If the dried sample is placed in a receptacle with a liquid preservative, then follow the packaging guidelines for shipping liquid samples.
Ship all dry clinical samples inside a Tyvek® or flexible® plastic envelope, padded envelope, paperboard envelope or paper mailer measuring 6" x 8" or larger.
If samples are cushioned on glass or plastic slides, package in a sturdy outer container to prevent breakage and puncturing.
The FedEx® Clinical Pak may be used to ship any dry clinical sample.
Include a marking on the package that properly identifies the shipment as “Exempt Human Specimen” or “Exempt Animal Specimen” as appropriate to comply with current IATA and ICAO regulations. If you prefer, package markings may be in the form of a label.